Memorial Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and solemn remembrance. We honor the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, acknowledging the enormous sacrifices made by them and the families they left behind. This day carries a deep emotional weight, especially for those with personal connections to military service. As we pause to reflect on their legacy, it’s worth examining how we support those who continue to serve and the families who carry on after their loss. One insurance company that plays a significant role in the lives of military families is the United Services Automobile Association (USAA).
Founded in 1922 by a group of Army officers who couldn’t find insurance coverage due to their high-risk status, USAA was created to serve the unique needs of military personnel. Over the years, it has grown into a powerful financial institution, offering not just auto and banking services but also property insurance for homes and belongings. USAA’s marketing and identity are rooted in service, honor, and commitment to those who serve or have served in the military. Its Memorial Day webpage is a touching tribute, encouraging visitors to reflect on the holiday’s meaning and listen to stories of fallen heroes. USAA wants to be seen not just as a company but as a community built around shared military values.
For many military families, USAA is a trusted partner and one that understands the particular challenges they face. These include frequent relocations, deployments, and the emotional and financial complexities of life tied to military duty. Their homes may sit vacant for months while a service member is overseas. Property may be damaged in disaster-prone areas near military bases. Family members may need to manage claims while juggling the responsibilities of raising children and holding down jobs, sometimes while grieving the loss of a loved one in uniform. These are not hypothetical scenarios. They are real circumstances that complicate the insurance claims process in very human ways.
My father and sister both served in the military. I previously noted them in a Memorial Day post, Remembering Coast Guard Signalman 1st Class Douglas Munro. They also love telling me that USAA insures them.
While browsing USAA’s Memorial Day tribute page, I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks: “I’m not afraid to die, I just hate the thought of not seeing you again.” The words were powerful, intimate, and deeply human. They struck a chord with me, not just because of their emotional gravity, but because they reminded me that there are deeply personal stories of sacrifice and love behind every flag-draped ceremony and public tribute on Memorial Day. This was a soldier’s final thoughts, offered in the darkest of moments, to the people he loved most.
The quote was attributed to Lieutenant Tommie Kennedy of the U.S. Army Air Corps, who lived from 1923 to 1945. Intrigued, I looked deeper into his story. Lt. Kennedy was captured by Japanese forces in 1942 during World War II and was among the thousands of American and Filipino soldiers forced to endure the Bataan Death March. This was a grueling journey marked by starvation, beatings, and summary executions. After surviving that ordeal, he was held as a prisoner of war under brutal conditions. In January 1945, he was placed aboard one of the infamous Japanese “hell ships” used to transport POWs to Japan in inhumane conditions.
In his final act of love and courage, Lt. Kennedy wrote a letter to his parents on the backs of two family photographs. In it, he expressed his undying love, regret at not being able to see them again, and final instructions for how to use the money he had saved. He suggested they buy a turkey ranch and asked that his nieces and nephews be cared for. He also mentioned fellow soldiers and asked that they be remembered. Somehow, that letter made its way home, a fragile but enduring testament to a young man’s strength, heart, and clarity in his final moments.
For readers who are interested in this story, here is a link to the letters.
On this Memorial Day, we do well to honor the fallen. The best way to honor the memory of those who gave everything is to ensure that the promises made to their families are not broken. Memorial Day is a time of remembrance, but it can also be a moment to recommit ourselves to justice, service, and the American values we claim to hold dear.
Thought For The Day
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
—Elmer Davis
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